DIRECTOR OF MAJOR GIFTS

SARASOTA, FL

Our client is seeking a motivated, flexible, detail- oriented, and proactive Director of Major Gifts who will work with a passionate team of professionals to increase the impact of the organization’s work in the Sarasota-Manatee area and the world. As part of a team managing a campaign, the Director of Major Gifts will collaborate with key donors and partner organizations to share best practices, build trust, and foster strategic partnerships. A successful candidate will be an experienced development professional and passionate self- starter with the ability to work in a highly collegial manner with lay leaders, volunteers, and staff.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage a level of high potential donors and prospects to increase their giving
• Construct a fundraising and stewardship strategy, including planning and executing fundraising events and giving societies for an assigned portfolio of donors; serve as the relationship manager for donors and prospects
• Develop and execute strategies to identify, recruit, organize, and train volunteers in community priorities, funding processes, and engaging with partners
• Create strategic plans for each assigned donor, and maintain donor notes and information
• Collaborate with the Philanthropy team to ensure campaign goals are met
• Partner with and advise lay leaders on their solicitations and stewardship
• Collaborate with the team for identification and stewardship of prospects for planned-giving and endowment opportunities, donor-advised fund openings, and other complex gift transactions
• Manage personal and lay leader solicitation process including recruitment and follow-up with select lay leaders, prospect selection and training
• Identify, recruit, organize, and train volunteer workers in furthering Campaign goals
• Oversee planning of Philanthropy focused events including leadership enlistment and management, marketing, and attendee recruitment, logistics, and follow-up
• Supervise the organization of and recruitment for outreach/appreciation events to increase involvement in the organization and the greater Sarasota-Manatee community.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, sales, leadership development, or equivalent
• Experience soliciting gifts highly preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong presence with outstanding relationship building skills
• Experience working with volunteer/board leadership on prospect identification, cultivation, and solicitation
• Ability to inspire, influence, and build credibility with donors, lay leadership, and staff
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to the member community
• Experience with group facilitation and/or public speaking
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and donor management software; Salesforce experience a plus
• Ability and willingness to attend community-wide events on nights and weekends